Kearney First UMC Podcasts

Loving God by Addressing Christian Nationalism

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt reflects on the recent Orders and Fellowship Gathering which was themed: Loving God by Addressing Christian Nationalism.  Matt shares some of the things he learned and offers some of the ponderings he is working through.  One of the points the speaker of the conference made was "When we fuse our Christian and American identities, it is worse for us as a nation and worse for us as Christian folk sharing in God's mission of redeeming the world through Jesus."  When we fuse these identities and confuse them, we sometimes lose sight of which identity is guiding and motivating us more.  Which one are we worried about more?  Which one consumes our news feed, our time, and our prayers?  Which one do you fight for?

What Is Your Treasure?

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at Matthew 19 and how Jesus interacts with children and the rich young man.  She poses the question, if you only had 2 minutes to grab what you treasure, who or what would you grab?  Jesus treasured children in a society that saw children as workers and property.  Jesus invited children to be right next to Him and blessed them.  What if we followed Jesus like a child?  Children do not have the same worries adults do.  If we trusted Jesus like a child trusts, what would our faith life look like?  What worries would we let go of that we've been holding tightly to?

Forgive Like Jesus

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen reflects on Pastor Matt's sermon from Sunday.  She thinks about how quick children are to forgive and how Jesus provides an example on forgiveness.  Even before people said they were sorry, Jesus forgave.

A Community of Forgiveness

Welcome to the Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at the story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18.  He challenges us to put ourselves in Corrie Ten Boom's position. When approached by a former guard of the concentration camp she was held in asked for her forgiveness.... if you were in her position, would you have forgiven him?  Jesus shows us the kingdom of God is experienced in community.  Living in community requires forgiveness and forgiving as many times as it takes.

The Blessing and Kindness of Children

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen shares about what a blessing children can be in our lives, both children who may be our own and children we interact with in society.  Children love and serve wholeheartedly, which may play into why Jesus calls us to follow Him like children.  Kindness is deep within the human soul that echos the compassionate goodness of God.

Children and Stumbling

Welcome to our Sunday Morning Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at Matthew 18.  We are called to humility, to live as invitational witnesses of the Kingdom of God and to let go of pride.  Pride is focused on self, power, and creates division.  Humility is focused on others, that there is a place for everyone.  Be humble so others can see Jesus calling them through you.

The Mustard Seed and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at Jesus' transfiguration and the story of the mustard seed.  She encourages us to ask questions and grow our faith using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Read scripture as our base then use our reasoning, experiences, and traditions to guide our understanding.  God can take faith as small as a mustard seed and grow it exponentially.

Transfiguration and Butterflies

Welcome to our Sunday morning podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at Jesus' transfiguration.  She uses the example of butterflies to see Jesus' transfiguration as well as our own changes in our life journeys.  Sometimes, we are called to the mountaintop and sometimes we are called to lay low like a caterpillar in a cocoon.  Then we are called to fly.  Through each and every stage, God loves us to our core.

God's Love is Everywhere

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen shares a children's book that has a message we all need to hear from time to time.  God's love is everywhere.  No matter how big and loud or small and quiet life can be, God's love is there and always will be.

The Seeds That God Plants

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen looks at an exchange between Jesus, the pharisees, and the disciples.  Jesus says that what comes out of the mouth is what comes from the heart.  The seeds that God has not sown will be uprooted, but that which God has sown will grow.  We want what is planted in our hearts to be good.  How can we feed our hearts with good things?